Zynthian as standalone multi-timbral?

The Lounge Other Gear
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I became interested in this DIY synth module since it’s early beginnings, but I contacted a representative at that time who told me that, in order to use it as multi-timbral, you would need a computer… that was a no-go for me, so I kinda forgot about it.

I entered their forum to check it out and I read this:

This is the extended list of new features:

Multi-layer & multi-engine: Now you can create sound layers with any engine, in any MIDI channel. Yesss!! You can lay several instruments in the same MIDI channel, or create true multi-timbric setups, mixing different engines.
The workflow has changes a little bit, of course. The first screen is “Layer List”. From here you can create new layers, select the current layer in the GUI, change layer options (bold select) or remove one or all layers.

I think this is referring to standalone operation.
Now, if you can run multiple synths on different channels, and send Bank/Program Change messages to it… this could be a great portable companion for Octatrack/Digitakt.

I’m currently using an iPad as a multi-timbral synth and, although it offers a lot of possibilities, I sometimes get some latency or problems (maybe Zynthian is not that stable either)

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ou, i’d love a multitimbral synth other than the blofeld…it looks like it has a lot of processing power and a variety of synthesis to choose from.

any way to confirm that it truly has multitimbral capability?

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well I asked here today Questions about MULTILAYER - #4 by lod - Software - Zynthian Discourse

a user just replied:

"Your example totally works* and is one of the great main features of the Zynthian - and as long as I have the Zynthian always was possible.

Do you have a Zynthian (with display and everything) or are you curious about what it can do?

*About the program changes I read something somewhere here in the forums but I am not sure what was the outcome of that"

I still want proof of this, I’ll keep asking

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this post seem to indicate that program change and multiple synths at the same time are possible :open_mouth:

Interface stuck if program change is "aggressive" [SOLVED] - #11 by jofemodo - Using Zynthian - Zynthian Discourse

although it states a problem, it’s fixed later on the conversation by a developer… this is starting to get interesting!

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Very late reply but positive: yes, now Zynthian supports the Raspberry Pi 4. And, for those of us not into soldering, it comes with interesting open hardware.

I checked their website and community a couple of years ago and I thought it was too soon for me. Yesterday I was debating myself between the Zynthian and the Empress Zoia for a multi-effects use case (both can do a lot more) and I ended up buying a Zynthian kit out of open source curiosity and sympathy (and perhaps a way to explore MOD-UI, PureData… but we’ll see).

In fact an unrelated factor that made me go for Zynthian was that it supports Pianoteq, which means that I can make more use of my license and carry a top quality grand piano in such a small factor. :slight_smile:

Another factor was that their community seems quite active, and they had a new release just a few days ago, loaded with new stuff:

https://blog.zynthian.org/2022/11/new-zynthianos-version-is-out-stable-2211/

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